Whether he popped the question with the ring of your dreams or you picked the ring yourself and he ‘surprised’ you with a proposal, we have everything you need to know about choosing your engagement ring.

First, get excited! Ring shopping may be the most luxurious and expensive shopping trip you will have.
Secondly, have patience. Like you’ll soon learn with wedding dress shopping, chances are you may not find your perfect ring on the first try. In fact, we encourage you to shop around before making your final decision. There are so many gorgeous settings and many unique styles ranging from $500 to $500,000. Together, let’s begin the quest for your perfect engagement ring.

What you should know:

Brand names are much more expensive than the store brand ring.
Just like with anything else, you will see a range of rings and they can jump a few thousand dollars with a brand name. Designs and styles are always being replicated as cheaper alternatives without a name brand to back it up. Unless you look real close, no one will notice the difference and consider a generic designer. At the end of the day, each ring was designed by a master craftsman and is unique in its own way.

Some rings are setting-only.Some rings come ready, diamonds and all. Other rings are setting-only and you purchase the diamond separately which may rack up the bill. Check your budget and try to stick to it. Rings easily move up and down based on this point and every diamond is special as well. Which brings us too…

Not all diamonds are the same.
If you have your heart set on a diamond you need to think about the 4 Cs: cut, color, clarity, carat. These will determine the final price of your diamond (especially if you’re buying it separate from the setting).

Metals are trendy.
Nowadays, the trend is white gold. Your grandmother probably had a yellow gold band. Who knows what the future bride will ask for? What we do know is while there are different types of metals and colors for your ring and that it may be out of style in a few years. Instead don’t think about the trend; it may go away. Choose your ring based on your personal preference because in your eyes you should see the most beautiful ring on your finger.

Finally, choose wisely.
Just like you put a lot of thought into choosing Mr. Right, put some thought into your ring. You’ll have it forever, you’ll wear it daily, and it will remind you of this happy time. Since it is a big purchase, you want to take your time with the whole process. Don’t choose something based on anyone else’s comments. Pick your ring for YOU—it will reflect your heart. You will be the only one wearing it for years to come.